Redknapp hails players after QPR triumph

By

QPR boss Harry Redknapp said his players proved their commitment to the cause by coming from behind to beat Wigan 2-1 and reach the Championship play-off final.

On a dramatic night at Loftus Road, fit-again top scorer Charlie Austin scored twice, with his extra-time winner ending Rangers’ 28-year wait for a trip to Wembley.

Widely criticised after being relegated from the Premier League last year despite massive spending, the R’s will now face Derby for a place in the top flight.

And Redknapp declared: “People say about wage bills but the big hitters all went – they were good players we had to let go. We put a new team together really.

Austin's winner was set up by Bobby Zamora.
Austin’s winner was set up by Bobby Zamora.

“Lots of players had been written off. Richard Dunne hadn’t played for a year and we took a little gamble on him and Clint Hill has been around here for years.

“Joey Barton I thought was excellent tonight. Bobby Zamora was fantastic when he came on. It was an amazing performance and he can do that. He was always a problem for them.

“And the fans were great. After that shaky first 20 minutes they stayed with us and drove us on. It was an excellent performance.

“I’m looking forward to going back to Wembley. I just want to get promoted for the owners, fans and players here – that’s all I want.”

Redknapp made a bold call by not starting with Ravel Morrison and instead opting for Niko Kranjcar – who faces a race against time to be fit for Wembley after aggravating a hamstring problem.

Rangers' victory prompted scenes of wild celebrations at Loftus Road Rangers’ victory prompted scenes of wild celebrations at Loftus Road[/caption

Redknapp said: “I played a bloke called Niko Kranjcar. He’s got something like 86 caps for Croatia and is a fantastic player, a fantastic person and can make things happen.

“Ravel has done well but I went with Niko. I went for experience – Niko knows the game and I hope he’ll be fit to play at Wembley.

“It was hard work tonight against a good team who were always going to be tough – they won at Man City this year and were beating Arsenal at Wembley with 10 minutes to go.

“We beat Derby 2-0 here and they beat us 2-0 there, so Wembley will be another tight game.”

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook